The man who made people talk about guns

By Carolyn McCarthy

updated 7:39 PM EDT, Mon August 4, 2014

James Brady, a former White House press secretary who became a prominent gun-control advocate after he was wounded in the 1981 attempt on President Ronald Reagan's life, died Monday, August 4. He was 73.

Reagan introduces Brady as his press secretary on January 6, 1981, in Washington.

Police and Secret Service agents react during the Reagan assassination attempt, which took place March 30, 1981, after a conference outside the Hilton Hotel in Washington. Lying on the ground in front is wounded police officer Thomas Delahanty. Brady is behind him, also lying face down.

Brady is placed into an ambulance shortly after being shot. He suffered a head wound and was left partially paralyzed.

Maryland Attorney General Joseph Curran reaches to shake Brady's hand outside the U.S. Supreme Court in October 1981. After leaving the White House, Brady launched the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, which pushes for stricter firearms laws.

Brady, with his left hand in a sling, chats with his son, Scott, in November 1981. Because of the shooting, Brady had to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

Brady is next to President Bill Clinton as Clinton signs the Brady Bill on November 30, 1993. The bill, which was fiercely fought over for years before Congress approved it, required background checks for gun purchases.

Brady gives a thumbs-up to Clinton at the White House on September 9, 1996. Brady was receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States.

Clinton congratulates Brady in February 2000, when the White House press briefing room was named in his honor.

Brady visits the White House Briefing Room with his wife, Sarah, as White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton, left, shows them around in June 2009.

Brady, alongside his wife and Brady Campaign President Paul Helmke, speaks in March 2011 about new legislation curbing gun violence.

HIDE CAPTION

Gun-control advocate James Brady

Gun-control advocate James Brady

Gun-control advocate James Brady

Gun-control advocate James Brady

Gun-control advocate James Brady

Gun-control advocate James Brady

Gun-control advocate James Brady

Gun-control advocate James Brady

Gun-control advocate James Brady

Gun-control advocate James Brady

Gun-control advocate James Brady

<<

<

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

>

>>

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Carolyn McCarthy: Like James Brady, her life had "before" and "after" a shooting tragedy

She lost her husband, and son injured; Brady was gravely wounded by would-be assassin

She says Jim and Sarah Brady's anti-gun violence efforts have made huge mark in U.S.

Editor's note: Carolyn McCarthy is a U.S congresswoman from New York's 4th District

(CNN) -- Like former White House Press Secretary James Brady, my life has a "before" and an "after." For Jim Brady, who died Monday at 73, the "before" was the time leading up to March 30, 1981, when he was gravely wounded by an assassin aiming for President Ronald Reagan, who was also seriously wounded.

For me, "before" was my life as a nurse, wife, and mother leading up to December 7, 1993, when a mentally disturbed gunman shot and killed my husband, Dennis, and severely wounded my son Kevin during a mass shooting on the Long Island Railroad. The "after" for Jim and for me has been a life colored by sadness and loss, but also driven by a cause bigger than both of us: ending violence caused by guns in this country.

Carolyn McCarthy

Jim Brady did not choose to be a leading advocate to prevent gun violence, but he embraced that role with courage and grace. Jim and his wonderfully steely wife, Sarah, founded the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and went to work to ensure that other individuals and families would not have to endure what they suffered after the 1981 shooting.

Jim and Sarah have been leaders in the anti-gun violence effort for over 30 years and they have always handled their roles in a way that has earned them admirers across this country and around the world. Jim and Sarah have led the discussion on the role guns play in our society.

I first met Jim Brady in late 1993 after the Long Island Railroad shooting. He and Sarah were very kind and provided me with hope for life after my shooting tragedy. Even while recovering from his severe head wound, he moved forward into his own new life of prodding America into addressing gun violence in a commonsense manner.

Jim Brady had a great sense of humor and he used that humor to put people at ease when they met him. He never played the martyr. Jim and I were once discussing my son's recovery from his gunshot wounds and I told Jim that Kevin wanted to go skydiving. I had my doubts, but Jim thought it was a great goal. He said, on behalf of all shooting victims, "We want to show people that we are still the person we were and we do things that people think we can't." On his next birthday, Kevin went skydiving.

Gun control advocate James Brady dies

James Brady's lasting legacy is, of course, the law that bears his name. The Brady Law, providing for background checks and a waiting period for gun purchases, has been in effect for more than 20 years. It has blocked more than 2 million gun sales to felons, fugitives and those suffering from mental illness.

While the tragedies of Columbine, Virginia Tech, Newtown, and unfortunately many others demonstrate that we have more to do toward ending gun violence in America, Jim Brady leaves us with a law that has undoubtedly saved many lives. The Brady law continues to protect Americans, and the life of James Brady will continue to inspire all those faced with challenge and tragedy. My friend, Jim Brady, will be greatly missed.